Senior Subcontract Buyer
A leading defence organisation are seeking an experienced Senior Subcontract Buyer to join a high-performing procurement team in Edinburgh.
Role: Senior Subcontract Buyer
- Duration: 6-month contract
- Pay: Up to £44 p/hr (Inside IR35)
- Location: Edinburgh (Hybrid)
As a Senior Subcontract Buyer, you'll take responsibility for the end-to-end management of supplier and subcontractor relationships, ensuring continuity of supply across critical programmes.
You'll play a critical role in ensuring key production materials, components, and services are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with demanding technical and contractual requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements, including NDA's, export licences, statements of work, and pricing agreements
- Leading RFQ activities, supplier sourcing exercises, and commercial evaluations
- Negotiating pricing, contractual terms, and delivery commitments to maximise value and minimise risk
- Managing purchase orders through SAP and ensuring audit-ready documentation is maintained
- Monitoring supplier performance, delivery schedules, and KPI compliance
- Escalating supply risks and driving resolution plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Supporting product cost reviews through pricing analysis and benchmarking activities
- Collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Materials, Manufacturing, and Programme teams
- Managing revenue forecasting, budgets, estimates to complete, and cost reduction initiatives
- Supporting internal and external audits with commercially compliant procurement documentation
This is an ideal role for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing or engineering environment and enjoys taking ownership of supplier performance, commercial negotiations, contract management, and material delivery across complex programmes.
Key Requirements:
- Manufacturing, Electronics, Defence, Aerospace, Engineering, or Complex Supply Chain experience
- Experience working as a Senior Buyer, Subcontract Buyer or Procurement Specialist
- Strong supplier management and contract administration experience
- Commercial negotiation expertise
- Solid understanding of contract terms and conditions
- Experience managing purchase orders and supplier performance within SAP or similar ERP systems
- Strong analytical and reporting capabilities
- Knowledge of Export Control or Trade Compliance regulations
- Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple programmes
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
This a great opportunity to gain exposure to strategic sourcing activities, high value subcontract management and deal with complex supplier negotiations.
If you're an experienced procurement professional local to Edinburgh, apply now!